Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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417. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will outline all funding options available to persons or non-profit groups carrying out stewardship activities of special areas of conservation. [12801/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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In May 2022, Government approved a three-year Strategic Action Plan for renewal of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). Building on the substantial investment under the Plan, which comes to an additional €55 million across three budgetary cycles, there are a range of funding initiatives managed by the NPWS to support individuals or groups to assist with the conservation of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs).

These include:

- The Peatlands Community Engagement Scheme (PCES)

- The Protected Raised Bog Restoration Incentive Scheme (PRBRIS)

- The Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme (CTCCS)

- LIFE Wild Atlantic Nature

- LIFE on Machair

- The Local Biodiversity Action Fund (LBAF)

- The Community Foundation for Ireland

- NPWS Farm Plan Scheme

- Farming For Nature

In addition, funding supports are available from other sources including the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the LEADER Programme, and local authorities.